User Reviews

Weaknesses: the fork was standard but wouldnt necessarily put it into a bad weakness due to the fork doing its job. iv now upgraded to a suntour epicon.

Bottom Line:

i have had this bike now for around 3 years and have looked it and loved riding it. yes i have had some wear and tare problems but thats due to my own actions. If you want a nice decent cheap hairdtail and dont fancy a full suspension then this is the bike for you. People think that GT has poor frame structure but mine has been brilliant. Unfortunately i have to see it the gt go but transferring the parts onto a scott reflex full suspension frame. Like i said if you feel that a hard tail is perfect for yourself then go for that but i would like to mention that if you are going to down do mountain biking but going on red or black trails then going for a full suspension is the way to go, personally. I have been devoted to hardtails, but then tried my dads full sus and loved it.

P.s if anyone does read this, thanks for reading my review and hope it decided what you wanted. Keep riding!!

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by
Runmecheng
a Weekend Warrior
from Waverly, NE, USA

Date Reviewed: June 19, 2011

Strengths: Nice frame. Good dimensions. Quality components. Rugged.

Weaknesses: no front shock?

Bottom Line:

Good bike for single track as well as pulling kids in the trailer. After 15 years, the first thing that finally went was the front wheel bearings. Lack of front shock is probably the reason. I still really like this bike, and i'm afraid to go look for another one that i can get the same value out of today. Hopefully there is still someone out there that can build something of this quality and sell it at a reasonable price.

Submitted by
Andrew.Evey
a Downhiller
from Forest Grove, OR, United states

Date Reviewed: December 14, 2009

Strengths: Well i would have to say the stock compnents are crap. when i bought this i gave it a complete overhaul.

Weaknesses: The stock parts.

Bottom Line:

Its a dam good bike if you replace all stock parts. Other then that overhauled the whole bike and took it on trails it should and was never made to see. Any of you who live in the bend area in oregon and are into DH will know the trails im talking about. Over all it looks like a cheap bike but after the upgrades it became the beast. i dont ride it anymore but this bike is a legend and im hanging it on my wall.

I feel I got a great bike for the money. The only problem I ever had with it was after years of use it did not want to shift into some gears and didn't want to stay in some gears but as it turns out that was due to normal wear and tear. After having the cables replaced and a general tune-up, only one I've had since I've owned the bike, now it shifts just fine. I've ridden both on and off-road over the years and I have no complaints. I've owned this bike for over 10 years now, since 1997.

Really can't tell you how impressed I am with this beast. This was my 1st mountain bike. I got it during my strapped for cash days in school and have been riding it HARD for 6 years. Yeah, its heavy, and drive train may be cheap, but I rode this thing almost every day after class in the hilly terrian surrounding IUP in western PA plus the good stuff in eastern PA adding to probably a couple thousand miles, and at 6-4 220 lbs it really never let me down. It's kinda like that 1st car you cant let go. So may miles...

Alas after 6 years of brutal punishment the drive train is shot, and so is my back. Plus my riding has gone past it's limits.

Strengths: It's a great bike. When you push it, it lets you feel the trail. I prefer the non-shock system on it for more control and feel.

Weaknesses: It has some problems with the shifters sometimes. This isn't just mine. Sometimes it will just pop into another gear.

Bottom Line:

Good all-around bike for anyone. It's good for road and trail. on the trail, it lets you feel what you are doing, and reacts with your slightest thought. It's great. It's like the bike is reading your mind! It's good for the intermediate to advanced riders looking for a bike to take anywhere.

Submitted by
Brooks McDaniel
a Cross Country Rider
from Ridgefield, CT

Date Reviewed: August 16, 2001

Strengths: Forgiving steel frame. Upgradability! Great first bike.

Weaknesses: Components are junk and it's HEAVY.

Bottom Line:

I got this bike for free from my sister who never used it. She gave it to me in 1993 or 1994 and it was my first mountain bike. I really loved riding with my buddies but soon realized that the components were crap. Over the years I upgraded just about everything. Shimano LX drivetrain, lightweight post, seat, bar, wheels, etc. It is really a sweet riding rigid bike that is a great teaching platform. It's hard to find steel frames these days but I prefer them to aluminum because they aren't as stiff. I kept the rigid fork and learned how to let my arms act as shock absorbers. I was just as fast as my friends with front suspension.

This beloved ride was just stolen from me one month ago and I have replaced it with a Cannondale F600 with headshock. I dig my new ride but miss my old-school rigid GT.

Weaknesses: None, except that it could be a little lighter. Seriously, I never any problems with the Acera & Alivio derailluer system. (The chain never dropped out before, in 4 years!)

Bottom Line:

I bought it with my own savings!!! (from holiday job) I loved it from the moment I bought it. This review is sorta tribute for its great service to me. The new 2000 version looks great (with better front shock). I dun think I will buy any new ones, as I am only a weekend rider.

Strengths: Great stabilty. this bike was a great investment. I have gone beyond pushing the limits on this bike on and off road. With the right componets this bikes really accelerates!

Weaknesses: Seat post broke on me a while back and cranks/front fork had some defects but was replaced by GT for free of charge. Other than that I go thru tires, brake pads, cables and grips on a regular basis. Nothing breaks.

Bottom Line:

Great Everything and all for less than $375(which includes all upgrades). IT has been very strong even though I have pushed this bike sometimes too hard.

I got it to ride around town with the occasional trail, but over the years it has really performed well. Never have broken anything serious despite some pretty hard riding. It is not very light and the components are bottom of the barrel...but it has been SOLID! Great first bike. I will always be a fan of GT after this bike.